Bowling pin raising and lowering mechanism



Nov. 21, 1950 s. A. FRYE r 2,530,335

BOWLING PIN RAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM Filed July 11, 1944 v 8Sheets-Sheet l J'arzder; 962F73 Nov. 21, 1950 s. A. FRYE 2,530,385

BOWLING PIN RAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM Filed July 11, 1944 8Sheets-Sheet 2 Ya Nader; YZ Frye Nov. 21, 1950 s. A. FRYE BOWLING PINRAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM s Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed. July 11, 1944 NQ.hm

QM km ZlH UMM Sander; SQFZye Nov. 21, 1950 s. A, FRY'E 2,530,385

BOWLING PIN RAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM Filed July 11, 1944 8Sheets-Sheet 4 QWW Sanders A Frye s. A. FRYE 2,530,385

BOWLING PIN RAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ndv. 21,1950 Filed July 11, 1944 Se m '7/A Y "dens- 56 -2 736 ,4, zzazw Nov. 21,1950 s. A. FRYE I 2,530,385

BOWLING PIN RAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM Filed July 11, 1944 I 8Sheets-Sheet 6 Ill Ja dens 56 .j g (3 Nov. 21, 1950 s. A. FRYE' BOWLINGPIN RAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 11, 1944Nov. 21, 1950 s. A. FRYE 2,530,385

BOWLING PIN RAISING AND LOWERING MECHANISM Filed July 11, 1944 8SheetsShees 8 Ya 7202 215 /Z Frye Patented Nov. 21, 1950 BOWLING PINRAISING AND LOWERIN MECHANISM Sanders A. Frye, Westerville, Ohio,assignor, by mesne assignments, to American Machine and Foundry Company,Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application July'll, 1944,Serial No. 544,381

'Thisinvention relates to pin-handling mechanism for bowling alleys,having particular reference to automatic mechanism of the typedispensing with manual attendants in the operations of placing bowlingpins on alleys and removing knocked down pins therefrom during and.between periods of play.

.In the game of ten pin bowling, the rules pro- .vide that a playerisallowed in a given frame to roll two (sometimes three) balls overlthesurface of a bowlin alley toward the standing pins arranged .at the farend of the alley. .It is a common occurrence that the first .ball rolledby the player, upon striking the triangular group of standing pins, willnot knock down all thepins butthat one or more ofsuch pins remainsupright, depending upon how the rolled ball enters and traverses thegroup of pins. The .pins which fall or topple overoftenrremain onthebowling surface of the alley, and before the player can roll again, itis necessaryfor the vfallen pin or pins to be removedfrom the alley sothat they will not interfere with the second Orr-succeeding balls bowledby .a player in a given .frame. Usually the removal of .fallen .pins .is:efiected manually, and such devices that have been proposed forefiecting such .an operation mechanically have not proved practical orcommercially useful so far as we are aware.

It is, therefore. an object of the invention to provide, in an automatic--system.for gathering and setting bowling pins, .an-improvedmechanism,operative between intervalsof'ball rolling, to en age. grip and elevatepins remaining in a standing position on the alley in .order that suchpins may be held above-the alley surface and in such spacedrelation'thereto'as topermit the pins which have been knocked down by varolled ball to be removediromthe alley surface; and following suchremoval of .the prone pins, to operate said. mechanism so .as torestore. automatically the untoppled or vertical pinsheldlby saidmechanism totheir upright positions on the alley surface, and.releasingthe mechanismirom engagement therewith topresent the pins .tothe bowler'for further play.

'It is another object ofthe invention to provide bowling pingripping,raising and lowering mechanism of thecharacter set forthand wherein saidmechanism is so constructed thatpinsgripped .andhandled thereby arerestored, afterprevious gripping and elevation, to substantially exactlythesame positions on the bowling a'lleyas the pins assumed immediately.prior to having .been engaged by. said mechanism.

25 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) In connection withthis latter object, it may benoted that often during the game of bowling, the first'ball rolled in agivenframe willleave, upon penetrating .a group of such pins, one ormore pins in an upright position. Such an upright pin (or pins) quiteoften is dislodged laterally with respect to its normal or spot positionon the alley, and its final standing position may be either. favorableor unfavorable to further play on the part of the bowler. Therefore,it'is important that afterthe prone pins have'been cleared from thealley, that the elevating mechanism should'function to restoretheuprightpin (or pins) gripped thereby tothe precise position which thesame occupied immediately beforeLbeing engaged by the mechanism, and,inaccoridance with the present invention, improved means are providedforcarrying. out such anoperation in. a .purely automatic manner.

For a further understanding .of theinvention, reference is to behad tothe following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the bowlingpinlifting mechanism comprisingthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the pinlifting mechanism andshowing the associated .bowlingalley in transverse section;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the pin-lifting mechanism anddisclosingthe associated alley in vertical section;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the planeindicated by the line A-A-of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the planeindicated by the line 5--:5

:of Fig. 4;

' Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view tak n through one of the fluidactuated cylinders foroperating the pin-gripping means, the plane of thefigure being indicated by the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. -7 is a detail sectional view on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the plane disclosed by the line 3-8 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9"9"of "Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view disclosingthe electrically controlledfluid actuated meansfor the operation of my improved bowling pin raisingand lowering mechanism;

Fig..l1 is a vertical sectional view disclosing'a modified type ofpin-gripping mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

The automatic bowling pin gripping and raise in and lowering mechanismconstituting the present invention is adapted primarily for use inconjunction with automatic pin-gathering and setting machines whichdispense with the services of manual attendants or pin boys employed inmost bowling establishments. The present invention, however, isconcerned with a pin gripping and raising and lowering mechanism for usein conjunction with such systems, whereby to permit pins which have beenknocked down during play to be removed from the alley withoutinterferring with the active positions of upright pins remaining on thealley after a given play. Therefore, the present disclosure: is limitedto the pin-gripping, raising and lowering mechanism per se withoutreference to other associated mechanisms, such as pin-gathering, settingand ball-returning devices, although it will be understood that thepresent invention is adapted for use in conjunction therewith.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the pin-receiving region of astandard bowling alley, the alley being composed of the hardwoodflooring 2 supported on suitable base members 3. The

not shown. At each side of the flooring 2, there may be provided theusual ball gutters 6 and, adjacent to the region I, the alley isprovided with upstanding side boards I.

Mounted upon the upper edges of the side boards I are stationary,horizontally disposed tracks 8, the latter being formed with open sidedchannels 9. Movably received within these channels are rollers H] whichare provided at spaced intervals on rails H which depend from ahorizontally positioned bed plate [2. This plate is shiftablelongitudinally of the channels provided in the tracks 3 in order tobring the pin-gripping, raising and lowering mechanism constitutin thepresent invention into vertical registration with the pin-receivingregion of the bowling alley and, also, when shifted, to bring thepin-setting mechanism carried thereby, and which has not beenillustrated herein, into selective registration with the region I.

Mounted upon the upper surface of the bed plate at the forward edge ofthe latter is a plurality of spaced bearing brackets [3, the lattersupporting for rotation a horizontally disposed shaft I4. Fixed to thisshaft at one end thereof is a wheel 65 having a plain circular anduntoothed peripheral edge. Linked as at It to the wheel and trainedabout the periphery of the latter is one end of a chain 1?, the oppositeend of this chain being pinned as at [8 to the outer end of a piston rod9. The inner end of this piston rod is connected with a piston which ismounted for movement in a cylinder 2 I, the said cylinder being mountedon the upper surface of the bed plate I 2 contiguous and parallel to oneof the side edges thereof. A fluid under pressure enters and leaves,through the operation of suitable valve means, the ends of the cylinderon opposite sides of the piston 20 (Figure 10) in order to effectcontrolled reciprocation of the latter. It will be observed that thereciprocation of the piston imparts movement to the chain i1, and sincethe latter is connected with the wheel I5, controlled. rotation may beimparted to said wheel and its shaft l4.

Also mounted on the shaft M for rotation therewith are a plurality ofwheels 22, correspending to the wheel l5. The wheels 22 have securedthereto the forward ends of a plurality of chains 23, four in number.The forward pair of the chains 23 pass downwardly through guide openings24 provided in the bed plate l2 and at their lower ends are connectedwith eyes provided in the upper ends of a plurality of bolts 25, thesebolts having threaded engagement with a vertically adjustable,horizontally disposed pin-lift ing frame 26. Also, the rearwardlyextending pair of the chains 23 pass around rollers 27 supported byhearing brackets 28 mounted on the upper surface of the bed plate l2.After passing around the rollers 27, the rearwardly extending pair ofchains 23 are directed downwardly through openings 29 formed in the bedplate and have their lower ends, in turn, connected with eyes providedin the upper ends of a pair of bolts 30 which have threaded connectionwith intermediate portions of the pin-liftin frame at the sides of thelatter.

The frame 25 is guided for confined vertical movement by the provisionof a plurality of vertically disposed rods 3!. The lower ends 32 ofthese rods are diametrically reduced to provide seating shoulders 33,Figure 3, the reduced lower ends extending through openings provided inthe frame 26 and being threaded for the reception of securing nuts 3d.The upper ends of the rods 3| are slidably received in bushings 35,which are carried by the bed plate 12. Secured to the upper ends of saidrods are adjustable collars 36, which engage with the upper surfaces ofthe bushings 35 to limit downward movement of the frame 26, the saidcollars being held in fixed positions on the upper ends of said rods bymeans of set screws 3'! or their equivalent. Preferably, four of therods 3| are used, the same being connected with the four corners of theframe 26.

The pin-lifting frame 26 is provided with aplurality of rectangularopenings 38, which are arranged in triangular order so that they willregister with the spotted positions of the ten pins P placed at the endof the alley 5. At the sides of each of these openings, the fram 26 isprovided with fixed horizontally extending T-shaped bars 39, the loweredges of these bars being connected as at {18 with removable andstationary horizontally extending strips 4 i The strips ii coact withthe bars 39 on each side of each of the openings 38 to form channels 42.See Figures '7 and 9. For each of the openings 38, the channels 42 associated therewith carry longitudinally movable runners. The upper andlower edges of each of these runners are provided with ball-retainingstrips 4%, the latter receiving antifriction ball bearings 45 by meansof which the runners move freely in their respective channels. Eachcomplemental pair of runners carries the diametrically reduced ends of abowling pin gripping rod 56, the latter extending transversely acrossthe opening 38.

The rods 58 are positioned in openings provided in the lower ends of aplurality of rodactuating arms 5?. A pair of these arms is arranged ateach side of each of the frame openings 38. The upper ends of these armsare pivotally mounted on bolts 58, the latter passing throughregistering openings provided in ears 59 which depend from a pluralityof cross plates 50. Intermediately of their length, each of the platesis formed with an opening for the reception of a circular extension ill,the latter being integrally provided on the base members 62 of aplurality of vertically disposed cylinders 63.

These zcylinderszarezarranged :centrallyzahoveithe openings38;oftthefiamezziizandtprojectthrough rectangular openingsfi kprovidedinithe bed-plate t2. :Byrmeans :of pthev runners 1-43 and the arms:SL-zthezcylindersrmay movelongitudinally-1 of the openings 64 from oneend of the latter -.to the othen-Ldepending upon the positions of thestandin-g bowling: pins gripped by'the rods 56.

' :Theextensions --:6 I v of the cylinder 1 base members may be providedwith fluideretaining'pacb ingsi5 *whiehwengage withslidable pistonrodfit :ofeeachofthe' cylinders 63. The upper end of each; rod 86 isshouldered for .the reception of :a .piston .61 -slidabl-y mounted ineach cylinder. Each of "these pistons carries flexible packing.disks-68,--which engage with the internal cylinder :wallspas usuaLtoprevent-fiuid seepage from "one .s-ide'of. each;pistonto theother,"these disks being :held.in: p1ace-by means of clamping rings 69.Flier-upper end of each of the :cylinders 63 is provided :witharemovable top closure member ill), each of .the latter being .joinedwith the eassociated=base*member62'by means .of vertical tie-bolts 1|.The basememberBZ andthe top member '10 of-each cylinder are providedwith fluid passages 12, which communicate with valvedfluid conductinglines 13, whereby a t fluid maybe-delivered under pressuraas desired, toeither end of-each cylinder tocontrol the.direc- .tion of .movementofthe piston 57 :contained therein.

The lower -end of -'each :of the ;piston rods .66 .is-connected-witha-cross head it. The'outer .ends of these-crosslheads terminateinlateral extensions .which are apertured -to receive bolts .15.The-shanks of "these bolts are received in elongated slots 16 providedinthe four ,arms '5'! associated with each of .thecylinders 63. -Also, theshanks of ;the bolts 'IS- pass throughlapertures formed in links Harranged at .the outer .s-ides'of the-arms 51.

The cross plates :61! are provided with depending gguidepins '18. These.pins are-received in .openingszformed in each of'the'cross heads :14,the upper ends of saidpins being shouldered and provided withreducedthreaded extensions which project through openings providedinthecross tplates. These threaded extensions receive nuts .19 whichholdthe pins;in rigidpositions in con- .nection with said cross plates. Itwill beevident that the pins constitute guides providing for confinedvertical =movement of the .cross :heads 14, preventing turn ng .ortwisting thereof has the sameare raised .or lowered .by .theoperation ofthe cylinder pistons.

.Carried by thepin-liftingframe .28 on -oppo- 'site sidesof each of.theopeningsfSB therein .is a. pair. of -.extens ons..8i!. The. inner.faces of. these exten ions -are provided with .verticalrcha-nnels .8l,(Figure -'7) which receive antifrition elements 82.mounted in openingsformed inretaining strips '83. Thesestrips arefixedto theouter surfacesof upright bar extensions 8,4.formed at their lower .ends withpin-engagingfheads85. Normally,'the"'heads"85 are seated by means ofstops 86 which are secured to the uprightsi84 and .engagetheuppersurfaces of the 'frame'ZG.

When. the 'frame'lfi is lowered by the operation of the cylinderZl"andthe rotation of the shaft M, the ensuingdownward movementcauses itheheads 85 to engage with the .upper 'ends of -the bowling p ns'fP which"remain "standing "on "thealley I. This engagementstopsthe'descent "ofthe engaged head *or heads during further downward movement of *the""frame "26. "If 'the bowling pin' orpins below a given head should beima prone:position,;as showrrin Fig." 2,:theroperational position :of*such a ihead with :respect to the :frame 16 remains undisturbed.,However, whenwnepr moreaof the heads'85 contacts thezerrdtcrt-abowlingzpin in registrationtherewith, duringthe;descent.of'the'frame'26, the bar eX- tensionsi8.4;as shown in Fig.7, come intozengagement :withsan operating plunger 81 of acircuitcontrolling "switch "88. These switches are mounted Onwthe upperedges ofthe'frame exten- ;sions.8o,-there:being one of .such switches for eachvof the: cylinders 63 -Wrhen upright @pressure, due to the-presence:ofaistandingpin P-raisesthe head 85 to nearly its'unaximumverticallimit, "a spring 89, which :issecuredrto 'the' extension-184, comes intocontact with the-switch plate 88a; the latter being mountaedzon' theupper :end "of the upright 80. Under .theseacondit ons, the spring "88compresses and imparts holding pressureto the pins .P as welltascushioningrthe engagement of extension 84 :withtheswitch plunger '89.Such engagement operates'one or: more vof-the switches to completeoneort-more of a plurality of electrical circuits 59.0. Includedinthese'circuits is a solenoid valve iQ'lTiWhiChiCOIltIOlS the flow offluid under pressureito'eachof-thecylinders 63 in order to forcetheipistonsifil therein downwardly. While fluid imderipressure is thusintroduced into all of the cylinders? es simultaneously, it is onlythose .cyli-nderswhichare disposed above standing bowling pinszP-thatfunction to close the arms 51, so thatijtheygripping rods 56 may bebrought into engagement with-the head'portions of standing :bowlin-gpins to grip the latter, since the heads 18-5 whentintheir loweredposition prevent'inward movement of'the pin-gripping rods 56.

wWhen this engagement has been secured, the 'flow:of the.=actuatingfluidto the-cylinder 2| is reversed, so that the shaft [4 will be rotated ina'rdirection to elevate the frame 26, and, together therewith,thezbowling pins held in contact with the'arm carried-rods '56. Thebowling pins so gripped' areiraised from the alley floor a suitabledistance; for example, 12 inches. With the bowlingpinsaso elevated,andthe frame 25 retained in.-a stationary 'positionythe fallen pins maybe removedr'from'the alley surface by any suitable meanainotshown.Following the removal of'the fallen pins, the frame 26 is again'loweredtoredeposit the vertically disposed pins held thereby "on' the zialleysurface. fWhen so replaced, the cylinders'63 are actuated to release thepins and. the frame '26 is again elevated to its normal or startingposition.

all particular feature of the present invention resides 'in'thefact-thatthe pins gripped by the mechanism are-redeposited on the alley surfacein substantially exactly the same positions as they occupiedirnmediatelyprior to their initial engagement with the arm-carried rods 56. Thuswhen abowler delivers the first ball of a given frameyit often happensthat one or morepins will remainstanding. The standing pin may bedislodgeclfrom its original position by the delivered ball, and thispositionmay be favorable or unfavorable to the bowler when the secondball of'the frame is rolled. Therefore, the pin-handling mechanismcomprising the present inventionhas been sodesigned that when thestanding pin or;pins'are elevated, as described, to permit "of theremoval of "thefallen pins, the said standing'pins'will-bereturned tothe alley in virtually the same positions a they occupied prior 'tolifting "thereof. It will be understood that these positions of thepins, for reasons specified, may be laterally offset with respect to thenormal or spotted positions which the pins occupied prior to the rollingof the first ball of a given frame.

For example, as shown in Fig. 4, as the frame 26 descends, a bowling pinpositioned as at the far right of Fig. 4 contacts one of the heads 85immediately thereabove, arresting the descent of the engaged head andclosing the electrical circuit 30 associated therewith to causeactuation of the pistons contained in the cylinders 63. The descent ofthe piston rod 66 immediately above the pin-engaged head first causesthe arms 51 to operate so that the rod 56 thereof at the left of the pinso engaged comes into contact with the bowling pin. Since the pin cannotmove laterally, as it is clamped by the head 85 engaging therewith onthe floor of the bowling alley, the left rod 56 stops as soon as itengages the bowling pin.

Thereafter, further descent of the piston over the inwardly before itengages said pin. This movement, through the use of the ball bearingrunners i3, is easily effected, and it will be observed that thecylinder 63 over the engaged head shifts laterally with the movement ofthe rod 55 at the right of the engaged pin, such shifting movement ofthe cylinder continuing until its axis is in vertical registration withthe engaged pin. By this arrangement, the standing pin is gripped by theapparatus in the position which it occupies on the floor surface of thealley, is lifted and then restored to the alley surface without lateraldisplacement. Each of the heads 85 may possess dimensions of the orderof 9 by 10 inches, so that considerable lateral dislodgement of thestanding pin or pins may take place and yet vertical registration of thehead or heads 85 therewith retained.

During the descent of the frame toward its pin engaging position, if itshould happen that a standing pin is aligned vertically with thoseportions of the frame 25 marginally bounding the openings 38 therein,further descent of the frame 25 is arrested automatically. This isaccomplished by means of a switch-actuating grid 92 which is supportedfor limited vertical movement by and beneath the frame 25 by means ofheaded pins 93. The bars of the grid 92 are so disposed as to registerexactly with the bar elements 28a of the frame 26. The engagement of theupper end of a bowling pin with the grid 92 causes an adjustable screwor screws 94 to contact a movable operating plunger 95 of one or morecircuit-controlling switches 96 carried by the frame 28. A plurality ofthe switches 98 may be used to compensate for variations in position ofthe grid 92 from the horizontal. Such operation of one or more of theswitches 96 interrupts an electrical circuit 9? in which a solenoidvalve 98 is positioned, the valve 98 being employed to control the flowof fluid under pressure to the cylinder 2|, thus causing the closure oisaid solenoid valve and preventing further descent of the frame 26 andthe mechanism carried thereby.

To supply the cylinders 2| and 63 with fluid under pressure at timedintervals, there has been provided, as shown in Fig. 10 a diagrammaticview of the electrically actuated hydraulic control mechanism. Thismechanism comprises an oil reservoir I00. Mounted on this reservoir isan electric motor IllI which operates a pump I02. The inlet I63 of thispump extends into the body of liquid contained within the reservoir,while the dis charge side of the pump leads, as at I04, to a combinedpressure relief valve and gauge I05. Under normal pressure conditions,fluid passes from the valve I05 through a pipe line I06, which leads toa slide valve I01. The valve I0! is provided with a stem I08, one end ofwhich is connected with a spring I09, while its other end functions as acore or armature in the solenoid 98. The solenoid 98 is positioned inthe electric circuit shown at 91 and this circuit is closed by a relayswitch III], the latter having a coil III joined with a circuit II2.This circuit is energized by the bowling ball striking the backboard,not shown, of the bowling alley. The impact of the bowling ball on thebackboard operates a switch which closes the circuit II2, thus excitingthe coil I I I of the relay switch and causing the latter tosustainingly hold the head III) of the switch in a position to close thecircuit 9'! until the coil III is deenergized. Also positioned in thecircuit 9? is a normally closed switch H3 which is responsive to fluidpressure transmitted through the pipe line I leading from the valve III?to one end of the cylinder 2I.

It will be evident that when the relay switch IIO is closed, thesolenoid 93 will be energized, attracting the stem I08 of the pistonvalve I 01 against the influence exercised thereon by the spring I09.This causes the valve Il'lI to be positioned so that fluid underpressure will be transmitted through the line I66, valve Ill! and thepipe line H4 to the cylinder 2!, advancing the piston 20 in saidcylinder in a direction to cause the lowering of the pin-lifting frame25. Assurning that one or more bowling pins remain standing on the alleysurface I, such standing pin or pins will engage with the heads 85, andduring descent of the frame 26 toward its fully lowered position, theextensions 84 of said heads will engage the switch or switches 88 inregistration with the standing pins. This operation completes thecircuit 9!) in which the solenoid BI is located. This solenoid isemployed to operate a balanced pressure sliding valve IIG, the stemII'i-of said last-named valve being at one end formed to constitute thecore or armature of the solenoid 9!, while at its other end, the stemIII is retracted when the solenoid is deenergized by a coil spring H8.When one or more of the switches 88 is closed, the circuit 90 iscomplete, energizing the coil of the solenoid 9! and attracting the stemII? of the valve IIS to cause fluid to pass from the pressure line I86and through a communicating branch H9, through the valve IIS and thencethrough the pipe connections I3 to the upper ends of each of thecylinders 53. Thus with the frame 25 in its lowered position inregistration with one or more standing bowling pins, means are providedwhereby the pistons 51 in the cylinders 63 are moved downwardly to bringthe rods 53, as previously explained, into gripping contact with theupper end portions of the standing pin or pins. As the fluid pressurebuilds up on the pressure switch I I3 by the continued operation of thepump I02, the switch II3 is opened to break the circuit 97, thusdeenergizing the solenoid coil 98 and diverting the flow of fluid fromthe pipe extension H4 to the pipe extension H5, which causes reversemovement of the piston 20 in the cylinder 2| and elevates the cylinderframe 26, carrying with it the engaged bowling pin or pins. Fluidpressure on the switch I I 3 is maintained by the closing of the valveII'IT with respect to the pipe line I I4.

assaees thi's sweepingrm'ech'anism to'its normal or initial position,the circuit; 91: is againclosed to cause the frame 26 to descend throughmovement of the piston 2i); When I the: pins :supported by. the rods 55andarms 5l are redeposited onithe. alley surface I, the=solenoid 9k isdeenergizedby. the opening ofIthe circuit 953 through the. operation'ofan automatic sweep mechanism, not shown, and the. valve I I6, under theinfluence of thespring I18; assumes a position providing: for upwardmovement of the pistons 61' inthe-cylinderszt3, releasing the pins. onthe. same :spots from which they were removedby thepreviousoperationiofthegripping. and lifting. mechanism... By the :operation of: thepressuretswitch I .I 3; which is open as. the. result of buildingup offluid" pressure thereon as describedhereinabove; the ci-rcuitxil'l is;then: opened. and the cylinder: frame is: again elevated toits. normalor. raised position; completing the operating cycle.

In the modified formzofthe invention disclosed in Figures 11 and'lZ,in'lieurof employing-the cylinders 63. for operating the heads: 85; I.utilize spring operat'edsmeans; Thus; iniFig; 11; when thebowling pinshownat Bis brought into contact-withthe under surfaceof the-head85'cupon descent of. the frame-16a, the upper surface of the-head 85a is.brought into contact with a roller I20; This roller is mountedonthe:lower end of a plunger I2'I, the: upper; end of said plunger. being;connected with" a: topban I222; Each ofthe bars I22 at itsendsisrprov-ided-withpins I23 whichproject into slots. I24 providedinthe lever arms 51a; The plungers I24 areslidably received in. openingsI25 formed in crossmembers I26, the ends of. these:cross members beingeuipped with pins: I21 upon which the. arms 5111 have swinging movement.The. crossmembers I25 carry upstanding stems I28; the latter beingheaded at their upper. ends-as at. I29 and against the under sides of.these heads theupper: ends, of the springs IZBa bear,. the. lower ends.of. said sprlngsbearing on thecrossbars. I22- It w-ill'be seen .thatastheheads 85a.move upwardly to engage with thepin orpins P. or, statedin. another. way, if the heads. B'Jdremainstatibnary whilethe. frameEfiwand. its associated; parts move downwardly, the pins I23 will" be.advanced in the slots m l-against the. pressure of. the springs I28a tocause the arms 51a. to rock about their pivots I2'I',,and.thereb v bringthe. gripping rods 56a at thebottom of saidarms into holding contactwith the pins. P. When the heads 85a have beenifully elevated, or. theframe 26a fully lowered, sliding. latch plates I, carried by the frameuprights 80c, are forced by the pressure of flatsprings I3I into groovesI32 formed in the vertical head extensions 8411; thus holding the heads85a, in their elevated positions so that. the pins P. can be lifted fromthe fioor,. and until the" pins are again deposited on the. alley floorsurface: Then asolenoid'attracts a link I33 and reciprocates the same.Thelink' is provided with arms I34 whichengag'e with upstanding pins I35 carried by the plates I30, removing the plates fromthe grooves" I32;sothatthehead'sBI'nd may return to normal'positions through; expansionof thesprings IZBa.

1. Bowling alley apparatus comprising a verticail'y movableframemountedabove the pinreceiving section'of'an associated alley; said frame 10being formedi with ax plurality: of pin-receiving openings disposed forrregistration with: bowling pins standing on-tl'ie alley',.verticalandhorizontal guidesaformed withsaid frame-adjacent to each ofl'saidopeningsg aimovable head arranged in each of a said openings and":cooperative with said veritieali guides each 1 of'f'saidi heads havinga. substantially. fiat extendedi under-surface providing aWid'STCOlfltEtCb clamping;areairelative to .the head of a. pirrstanding: on orroif+spot1 on; said; alley, means. fori raising and;.lowering. said. frame to bringtheundensurfaceszof said'sheads into.clamp;

ingiengagementtwith athe upper; ends of bowling pinsistandingroni said;alleyiwherebyrtd maintaintherheads: clampingpinsaelatn ely,stationary'durzins-.2 lowering; movement: of said. frame; movablepihigrippingrmembersy means-:mountin-g said-gripe ping 'I memberssf orlinear: movement in said horn zcntai. guides,.. ands positivelyactuated. means operated" byxa: head: orrlieadsra in: response to: thedownwards;movementi-ofi saidiframesrelativeuto a pin or pinsclainpedzbysaid pin clamping head or heads upon said alleyagainstidisplacementLthere+ on-foreffectingthe movementzof-:said;grippers in said horizontal: guidesiintoi pin; gripping engage mentwithanxon or-.off.spot standingpinor; pins clamped by said head or headsonssaidi alley.

2 Bowling alley-y apparatus comprising, a vertically movable: framemounted; above; the pin.- receivingsection; of. an; associated. alley,said frame:being;formed1with:a pluralityof pin-receiving openings eachof 1 the. latter: having; horizontally and; verticallwdispcsed guides,a. pin.- engagingghead. slidably mounted: in the vertical guidesof; eachof: said; openings; a-pair of; pin: gripping;elements-gslidably mountedin the horizontal guides of: eachzof saidiopenings a relatively;stationary SHRQOItx. arranged. above said frame; meanssmounted on saidsupportf or raising and lowering saidframa a pair of pivoted armsconnectedwiththe pinrgripping; devices of each of said:.op ening$;.fluidsactuated means for moving; said 1 arms to/bring'said grippingdevices. into holding; contact with: bowling pins engaged; with saidheads, and means: operative upon the 'descent of: said; frame: and. the&engagement of one or more of; said headsi-withz astanding bowling pin orpins: to= causeoperation. of. said. fluida-ace tuated means 3;..In:automatic bowlinggalley apparatuaza sup;- port arranged1 overthespin-receiving section: of an associated alley, a: pin; raising andilowering frame arranged: beneath: said:v support, means mounted on;said: support for raising and slowering; said". frama the latter. being;formed with. a plurality of. pini-receiving openings, a verticallymovable pin clamping head. supported: by said frameyinregistratiomwithxeach of said: openings, each:o.fsaid: headsprovided:with: a pin clamping surface having a wider contact pin clamping. areasubstantially."coextensivewith :each: of; saidopenings','.opposedspacedzrelatively movableipin-gripping; devices tcarriedzb'y saidframezinire'gistration with ea'chofa said. openings. and means actuatedrelative movement" between: said. frame. and heads; for: positioning:said heads: in pin clamp.- i'ngz relationship:withiany'standingz on.oroffsspot pins;. and operating: connections: between: said heads andopposed pin: gripping. devices: responsive' to th'ef. d'ownwardmovement;- of said: frame after said -heads have clamped any standingpins on.saidalleyagainsti displacement during down:- ward movementofi'said frame-for movin'g sai'd gripper: devices: into. holdingengagement with said pinscl'amped' by-saiii headson said alley;

4. Automatic bowling pin handling apparatus comprising a supportarranged over the pin-receiving section of a bowling alley, a framehaving a multiplicity of pin-receiving openings formed therein, meanscarried by said support and connected with said frame for raising andlowering the latter relative to the pin-receiving section of the alley,a pin-contacting head slidably supported for vertical movement by saidframe in registration with each of said openings, said heads having flatunder surfaces, horizontally and linearly movable pin-gripping devicescarried by said frame in registration with each of the openings therein,an operating cylinder for each pair of said devices, slotted armspivotally connected at their upper ends with said cylinders and at theirlower ends with said gripping devices, a fluid actuated piston in eachof said cylinders, a rod extending from each of said pistons, and acrosshead carried by the outer end of each of said piston rods, saidcrosshead having engagement with the slots in said arms, whereby uponreciprocation of the associated piston said arms are oscillated to bringsaid gripping devices into and out of engagement with standing bowlingpins engaged with one or more of said heads.

5. Automatic bowling pin handling apparatus comprising a supportarranged over the pin-receiving section of a bowling alley, a framehaving a multiplicity of pin-receiving openings formed therein, meanscarried by said support and connected with said frame for raising andlowering the latter relative to the pin-receiving section of the alley,a pin-contacting head slidably supported for vertical movement by saidframe in registration with each of said openings, said heads having flatunder surfaces, horizontally and linearly movable pin-gripping devicescarried by said frame in registration with each of the openings therein,an operating cylinder for each pair of said devices, slotted armspivotally connected at their upper ends with said cylinders and at theirlower ends with said gripping devices, a fluid actuated piston in eachof said cylinders, a rod extending from each of said pistons, acrosshead carried by the outer end of each of said piston rods, saidcrosshead having engagement with the slots in said arms, Whereby uponreciprocation of the associated piston said arms are oscillated to bringsaid gripping devices into and out of engagement with standing bowlingpins engaged with one or more of said heads, and means actuated bymovement of said frame relative to a pin-contacting head or heads tocause flow of fluid under pressure into said cylinders.

6. Automatic bowling pin apparatus comprising'a support arranged abovethe pin-receiving section of a bowling alley, a vertically movable pinraising and lowering frame disposed beneath said support, means mountedon said support and connected with said frame for raising and loweringthe latter, a plurality of vertically movable heads carried by saidframe, said heads having flat under surfaces adapted for engagement withthe upper ends of bowling pins standing on said alley when said frame islowered, a pair of pin-gripping devices carried by said frame inregistration with each of said heads, guide devices formed with saidframe in which said gripping devices are disposed for horizontal andlinear movement, upstanding actuating units for said devices, said unitsbeing shiftable horizontally into vertical registration with a bowlingpin in contact with any part of the flat under side of an associatedhead, and means disposed to cause relative movement between one or moreof said heads and said frame upon descent of the latter to actuate saidunits to bring said gripping devices into holding engagement with one ormore pins in contact with said heads.

'7. Bowling alley apparatus comprising a vertically movable framemounted above the pinreceiving section of an associated alley formovement towards and from said alley, a plurality of vertically movablepin clamping heads carried by said frame, said heads being operativeupon descent of said frame to engage with the upper ends of standingbowling pins positioned on the alley in registration therewith and clampsaid pin against lateral displacement on said alley, each of said headshaving flat extended under surfaces providing a wide contact area withsaid pins, a pair of opposed horizontally and linearly movablepin-gripping elements carried by said frame in registration with each ofsaid heads, movable support means mounting each of said pairs ofgripping elements for movement in a plane substantially parallel withthe plane of said clamping surface of a clamping head, and mechanismoperative in response to the downward movement of said frame and after ahead has engaged and clamped a standing pin on said alley againstmovement along said alley for shifting said support means adjacent ahead clamping a pin to center said gripping elements relative to aclamped standing pin, including means for moving said elements intogripping engagement with the opposite sides of the head of said clampedstanding pin.

8. In automatic pin-raising and lowering mechanism for bowing alleys, asupport disposed over the pin-receiving section of an associated bowlingalley, a frame arranged beneath said support and above said alley, meanscarried by said support and connected with said frame for raising andlowering the latter relative to said alley, said frame being formed witha multiplicity of regularly spaced pin-receiving openings, spaceduprights carried by said frame in registration with each of saidopenings, a pin-contacting head slidably supported with said frame inregistration with each of said openings, each of said heads being formedwith vertical extensions complemental to the uprights of said frame,antifriction guide devices disposed between said frame uprights and thevertical extensions of said heads, horizontal guides carried by saidframe adjacent to each of said openings, runners slidably mounted forhorizontal and linear movement in said guides, a pair of pin-grippingrods carried by said runners for each of said frame openings, slottedears having their lower ends connected with said rods, a fluid pressurecylinder in registration with each of said openings, pivotal connectionsbetween the upper ends of said arms and said cylinders, a piston mountedin each of said cylinders, a piston rod extending downwardly from eachof said pistons and a crosshead connected with the lower end of each ofsaid piston rods, said crosshead having connections with the slots insaid arms, whereby upon reciprocation of an associated piston, saidcrosshead will be actuated to move said arms to bring said pin-grippingrods into and out of engagement with standing bowling pins contactingsaid heads.

9. Bowling pin handling apparatus comprising a support disposed overthepin-receiving section 13 offs-s bowling"- alley; a frame arranged:beneath said supportand above said alley; a plurality of movablepin-engaging I and damping heads carried by said frame; a set of"opposed elongated grippers coacting with'ea'ch-of-said heads supportsmounting each-oi said sets=of grippers for movement in asubst'anti'allyhorizontal plane beneath a head engaging and cla'mping a pin againstinovement on'said alley; -mechanism carried by saidsupport forloweringsaid frame thereby bringing s'aidheads into a clampingengagement with pins standingon or off-spot on said alley, and operatingmechanism for said sets of grippers, includingmeans responsive to thecontinued downward movement 'o'f said-f-rame towards said alley afterthe clamping of 7 stand-' ing pins by said headsagainst movement onsaid-alley for actuating-said gripper operating mechanism to causesaidopposed grippers of said sets of grippers to move into grippingandholding engagement with said clampedpins, means operable upon thegripping of said pins tocause said first-namedmechanism toelevate saidframe: and the' pins held in" connection therewith, andmeans operablesubsequent to the raising: of said frame tore-lower the same to restoresaid 'pins to the bowling alleysurface in p'recisely the same positionsas'the said pins -00- cupied when first engaged bysaid heads,

10, Bowling pinmanipulatingapparatus comprisin'g a-bowlingpin'respotting frame, means for moving said frame to and from the pinsupporting bed of-a bowling alley, a plurality of independently movable-pin engaging and clamping heads-mounted on said frame, each of saidheadshavin'g an eXtended-undersurface providing a substantial clampingarea said heads being constructed and arranged-for independentdifferential vertical movement in accordance with the height-of pinsengagedand clamped thereby upon-said bed, a set ofopposed pin gripperscoacting with eachof said heads, gripper operating mechanism, and meansoperative in response to the downward movement of said frame after ahead of a pin has'been engaged and clamped on said bed and the relativeupward movement of i said head clamping said pin on said -bedforactuating said gripper operating mechanismior movingsaid grippers ofeach set ofigrippers coacting with a. head clamping a standing pin intogripping and holding" relationrelative-to saidclamped pin'and means formaintainingeach set of grippers in gripping engagement with a pingripped thereby.

11. Bowling pin manipulating apparatus comprising a boWling-pinrespotting frame; means for" moving said frame to and from the pin-supporting'bed of a. -bowling alley, aplurality of ihdependentlymovable pin-clamping heads mounted on said frame, each ofsaid heads having a substantially flat" extendedpolygonalundersurfaceproviding-amide contact clampingarea with respect tothehead of a pinstanding on or off-- spot'on' said alley, supports mounting each of saidheads on said frame for independent differgees-sea hold a standing,position withinzt g ingSuIfaCe-'-0f-;sai

on spot or aay' riff-spat ping area' of said clamp"- ead and positivelyactuated mechanism coacting with arhead clamping a pin l to said bedagainsc displacement thereonoperative after a pin has been clamped tosaid bed for movingonly said==gripping bars into gripping and holdingrelation relative'to-said clamped pins.

12: Bowlingpin manipulating apparatus comprising'a-bowlingp'inrespotting frame, a plurality of independently movablepin-clamping heads mountedon- -said-frame, each of-said heads beingconstructed and arranged for independent differential vertical movement"in accordance with the height of pins to be clamped therebyupon saidbedmechanism for lowering'said frame to engage said heads in clampingrelationship with the tops-of any pins standing onor off-spot on the-pinsupporting bedof a-bowling alley, and maintain said-pins-againstdisplacement as said frame is lowered towards saidalley, opposed-sets ofgripper arm's'- associated with each of said heads, means mounting saidgripper arms for horizontal and linear 'mo'vement relative to saident-ial vertical' mov'ement'in accordance with the height of pinsclamped" thereby upon" said bed,- opposed elongated substantiallyparallel opposed pin gripping bars 'of*alengthsubstantially equal to=thewidth of said clamping surface of'a clamping head coacting with eachof'said heads, supports mounting: said "opposed-grippers for movementto' and from each'other a 'distance'a'pprox'imately' equal to the lengthof said clamping head; said-igrippers'zbeingsoperative to: grip and,

4 heads, and gripperoperating" mechanism including separate operating'connections between each of said headsand grippers associated therewithresponsive to'the'clamping ofany standing bowling pins in an onorofi-spot'position' on said alley bed by said heads and the downwardmovement of said framefor effecting relativeshifting move men'tbetween'ea'ch set of" said gripper arms to close and grip saidclampedstanding'on or offspot pins;

133 Bowling pin manipulating apparatus comprising a verticallymovable"pin liftingframe; mechanism for raising"and lowering said framefor lifting and"respotting'bowling pins in on or off-spot positions onthe bed'of a bowling alley, a pluralityof pin gripping units, each unitincluding horizontally. andlinearly. movable opposed'pin-gripp'i'ngbars, means mounting said units" on" said frame in spotted'pin-playingarrangement, separate means for actuating only said bars located inposition to grip standing on or off-spot pins to grip on-spot pins andto shift saidbars for gripping off spot pins when said frame is inloweredposition, and "means carried by said units for repositioningsaidbarsin position to grip-on-spot-pins after each lifted pin isrespottedin said on orofi-spot position.

14. Bowling-pin manipulating apparatus comprising a vertically. movablepin-lifting frame, mechanism for raising; and lowering said frameforclamping an oif-spot pin and for lifting and respotting bowling, pins inon or off spot: posi-' tions on the'bedof abowling'alley, horizontallyand linearly movable pin-grippingdevices including spaced-sets of'grippers mounted on said frame in substantially triangular'pin-playingarrangement, meansfor actuatingsaiddevices' for grippingstandingpins,means operable to shift said last-named means when one: gripper thereofengages "a'clamped standing ofi-spot pin for gripping said pin to causethe elevation" thereof upon subsequentupward movement of said frame; alatch associatedwith eaoh of'said sets of grippers, meansresp'onsivetothe downward movement of said fra'me for"actuating latches correspondingto each set of grippers engaging a pin to hold sai-d grippers ingripping relationship' w ith a standing p'in to' be respotted' on saidalley, and means responsive l to the' next downwa-rdimoven-ie ntofsaid-frame ior respottingasaid 15 pins to unlatch said latches andeffect the release of said pins from said grippers.

15. Bowling pin manipulating apparatus comprising a vertically movablepin-lifting frame, mechanism for raising and lowering said frame forlifting and respotting bowling pins in on or off-spot positions on thebed of a bowling alley, horizontally and linearly independently movablepin-gripping devices including spaced sets of opposed elongated gripperbars mounted on said frame in substantially triangular pin-playingarrangement and extending longitudinally of said bed, means foractuating only said devices located adjacent standing pins for grippingsaid standing pins, and means responsive to the actuation of saiddevices to shift a device when one gripper thereof moves laterallyrelative to said bed into engagement with a standing olfspot pin forgripping said pin to cause the elevation thereof upon subsequent upwardmovement of said frame.

16. Bowling alley apparatus comprising a vertically movable framemounted above the pinreceiving section of an associated alley, saidframe being formed with a plurality of pin-re ceiving openings, each ofthe latter having horizontally and vertically disposed guides, apinclamping head slidably mounted in the vertical guides of each of saidopenings, opposed pingripping elements slidably mounted in thehorizontal guides of each of said openings, a relatively stationarysupport arranged above said frame, means mounted on said support forraising and lowerin said frame, a pair of pivoted arms connected withthe pin-gripping devices of each of said openings, and means operativeby said heads in response to the descent of said frame and after theengagement of one or more of said clamping heads with a standing bowlingpin or pins for moving said arms of said gripping elements associatedwith said heads clamping pins on said alley to move said grippingelements connected to said arms into gripping engagement with saidclamped pins.

17. Bowling alley apparatus comprising a vertically movable framemounted above the pinreceiving section of an associated alley, aplurality of vertically movable pin-contacting heads carried by saidframe, said heads being operative upon descent of said frame to engagewith the upper ends of standing bowling pins positioned on the alley inregistration therewith and clamp said pins against displacement on saidalley, each of said heads having surfaces providing a wide contact areawith said pins, a pair of horizontally and linearly movable pin-grippingdevices carried by said frame in registration with each of said heads,supports mounting each of said gripping devices for separate shiftingmovement relative to a pin clamped on said alley by its associated head,and operating means for actuating said devices after a pin or pins havebeen clamped by a head or heads, said operating means includingoperating connections between said heads and gripping devices responsiveto the downward movement of said frame to cause said devices to moveinto gripping engagement with a clamped standing pin regardless of theposition of engagement of said pin with the under surface of theassociated head.

18. The apparatus defined in claim 17 including a pin head contactingmember carried by and arranged below said frame and having pin headvengaging portions beyond the limits of said heads, an operating circuitfor said apparatus, a switch 16 in said circuit; and means operative inresponse to the engagement of said member with the head of a standingpin located beyond the range of operation of said gripping devices foractuating said switch to break said circuit and stop the operation ofsaid apparatus.

19. Bowling pin manipulating apparatus comprising a pin-lifting frame,means for moving said frame to and from a bowling alley to lift andrespot bowling pins in on or off-spot positions on the pin supportingbed of said alley, sets of opposed elongated parallel gripper elementscarried in substantially triangular arrangement on said frame, spacedsubstantially parallel support means mounting the ends of each of saidgripping elements for substantially parallel horizontal floatingmovement relative to bowling pins standing in on or off-spot position onsaid alley, separately operated mechanism for actuating only the sets ofgrippers located in position to grip standing pins to move said grippingelements into gripping relationship with pins to be lifted andrespotted, said mechanism including means for controlling the movementof each of said grippers in conformity with its travel into grippingrelationship with an on or elf-spot pin on said alley, and meansoperative after on or off-spot pins have been respotted on said bed ofsaid alley for releasing said pins.

20. Bowling pin manipulating apparatus comprising a support, avertically movable pin lifting frame disposed beneath said support, aplurality of individually substantially vertically movable pincontacting and clamping heads attached to said frame, each of said headshaving a substantially flat extended undersurface providing a widecontact clamping area relative to the head of a pin standing on oroff-spot on said alley, a set of opposed pin grippers carried by saidframe in coacting relationship with each of said heads, means mountingsaid grippers of each of said sets of grippers for substantiallyhorizontal and linear movement into and out of gripping engagement withthe opposite sides of a standing bowling pin clamped by a head on oroff-spot on said alley against displacement, mechanism for lowering saidframe to cause said heads to engage and clamp any pins standing on oroff-spot on said alley and position said grippers of said sets ofgrippers for movement into gripping engagement with said opposite sidesof said standing pins, and means including operating connections betweensaid heads and grippers operative in response to the continued downwardmovement of said frame relative to said heads clamping said standingpins on said alley for causing said grippers of said sets of gripperspositioned on opposite sides of said clamped standing pins to move intogripping engagement with said pins.

21. Bowling pin handling apparatus for use with a bowling alley having apin supporting bed comprising a support, a pin lifting frame arrangedbeneath said support, means mounted on said support for raising andlowering said frame relative to said alley bed, a plurality of pinhandling units mounted on said frame, each of said units comprising apin engaging and clamping head, means mounting each of said heads forsubstantially vertical movement by and with respect to said frame,opposed pin grippers associated with each of said heads, movablesupports mounting said opposed grippers for horizontal and linearmovement in a plane substantially at right angles to the line of forceapplied by said 17 heads to a pin clamped thereby on said alley bed, andmechanism actuated by relative movement between a head clamping a pin onsaid alley and said frame for moving said gripper supports to centersaid grippers relative to said clamped pin, said mechanism includingmeans operative after said grippers have been centered for moving saidgrippers into gripping engagement with opposite sides of the head ofsaid clamped pin.

2. Bowling alley apparatu comprising a vertically movable frame mountedabove the pinreceiving section of a bowling alley, a plurality oftriangularly arranged pin handling units mounted on said frame, each ofsaid units including an individually movable pin-clamping head, supportsmounting each of said heads on said frame for independent differentialvertical movement in accordance with the height of a pin to be clampedthereby upon said alley, and a set of movably mounted opposedpin-gripping elements coacting with each of said heads, means normallypositioning said opposed pin gripping elements in spaced apart openrelationship, whereby the head of a pin may pass freely therebetweeninto clamping engagement with a clamping head as said frame is loweredto pin gripping and releasing position above said alley, means forlowering said frame to engage said clamping heads with the tops of anypins standing on said alley to prevent said pins from being 0 displacedfrom their on or off-spot positions on said alley as said frame movesdownwardly towards said position, and means operated by each of saidheads clamping a pin on said alley in response to the descent of saidframe to said posi- 5:,

tion for moving said sets of grippers coacting with said heads clampingsaid standing bowling pin or pins on said alley into gripping engagementwith said clamped pins.

23. Automatic bowling pin apparatus comprising a support arranged abovethe pin receiving section of a bowling alley, a vertically movable pinraising and lowering frame disposed beneath said support, means mountedon said support and connected with said frame for raising and loweringthe latter, a plurality of pin clamping heads, support means mountingeach of said heads on said frame for independent substantially verticalmovement in a fixed path of travel, each of said heads having anundersurface providing a substantial clamping contact area adapted toengage the head of a pin standing on said alley in on or ofi-spotposition and clamp said pin firmly against displacement from said on oroff-spot position, a pin gripping device carried by said frame inregistration with each of said heads, each of said devices includingspaced, individually movable, opposed pin gripping bars, and shiftablemounts supporting said gripper bars for horizontal and linear movementinto and out of gripping engagement with a pin clamped by a head on saidalley, and operating mechanism actuated by a head clamping a standingpin on said alley responsive to the relative vertical movement betweensaid head in said fixed path of 18 travel and said frame after astanding pin has been clamped by said head upon said alley and descentof said frame to shift said mount and move said gripping bars associatedwith said head into engagement with said standing pin held by said headupon said alley.

24. The apparatus defined in claim 17 including a movable grid havingopenings permitting entry of standing pins within the range of operation of said gripping devices, means mounting said grid on theunderside of said frame for engagement by the handle ends of pins beyondthe range of operation of said gripping devices, and mechanism actuatedby said grid responsive to the engagement of a standing pin by said gridon downward movement of said frame for stopping the operation of saidapparatus.

25, Bowling pin manipulating apparatus comprising a pin lifting frame,mechanism moving said frame to and from the pin supporting bed of analley, a plurality of pin clamping members carried in substantiallytriangular arrangement on said frame, means mounting each of saidmembers for individual substantially vertical movement on said frame, aset of opposed elongated gripping elements associated with each of saidmembers, means mounting each of said grip ping elements forsubstantially horizontal movement beneath its respective clampingmember, gripper actuating means, movable supports mounting said gripperactuating means, mechanism actuated in response to the downward movementof said frame and the engagement of one of said gripping elements of aset of gripping elements with a standing on or off-spot pin clamped byits associated clamping member against movement on said alley to movesaid supports and center said gripping elements relative to said clampedpin and cause said gripping elements to grip said clamped pin, meansoperable upon the gripping of a pin to cause said frame moving mechanismto elevate said frame and pin or pins held by said sets of grippingelements, a means operable subsequent to the raising of said frame tore-lower said frame to relocate said lifted pins in their respective onor off-spot positions on said alley, means for releasing said pin orpins from said gripping elements, and means for recentering saidgripping elements. a

SANDERS A. FRYE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,800,385 Hayes Apr. 14, 19312,208,605 Schmidt July 23, 1940 2,231,842 Rundell Feb. 11, 19412,283,613 Schmidt May 19, 1942 2,300,802 Parra et al. Nov. 3, 19422,353,189 Rundell July 11, 1944 2,388,708 Bates Nov. 13, 1945

